After seeing what happened to the ANC in South Africa’s local elections, I last weekend asked Facebook friends which personality of unassailable credentials who they would recommend for the NRM presidential candidate in Uganda for 2021, the way CCM in Tanzania picked Magufuli to suck the wind out of the opposition’s sails.

The question was also pertinent because unless the constitution is amended to remove the 75-year age limit for seeking the presidency, Yoweri Museveni cannot contest for the office again.

As happens with social media, there were some crazy responses that cannot be quoted in a serious newspaper. But the answers the serious comments gave were interesting. It seems Ugandans are still obsessed with the military.

In the belief that it takes a soldier “to manage Uganda,” several respondents insisted on two officers known for their discipline, an attribute critically lacking in Uganda’s public affairs. And the UPDF has in the past 10 years stood out virtually alone among big government institutions as a corruption-free zone. Stories of procuring ill-fitting uniforms, single size boots and choppers that can’t fly have not appeared in a long, long time.

So, the current Chief of Defence Forces Gen Katumba Wamala and the current Special Forces Commander Maj-Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba scored highly in the responses I got. Obviously, the two men are not in politics and there is no evidence that they belong to NRM, but their discipline is acknowledged all around, which could explain why some people think they could do a Magufuli in Uganda.

The other interesting responses were in favour of judges. The current Chief Justice, Bart Katureebe was highly regarded by his countrymen, as was the former principal judge, Jumes Ogoola. Again these two are not in politics, and probably do not belong to NRM, but their uprightness is widely acknowledged and could inspire.

The other strongly favoured personalities were parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga and Buganda Kingdom premier Charles Peter Mayiga. Kadaga is mostly seen as fair and enjoys the respect of the opposition despite being a top NRM official.

Mayiga is a lawyer and was a staunch monarchy supporter even before getting appointed to the Kabaka’s Cabinet and later named to head it barely two years ago. He has caught the public’s imagination with his fundraising drives for restoration of the kingdom’s cultural infrastructure, and possibly it is in light of the shambolic service delivery by the central government that some people think he would mobilise and utilise resources better to serve the entire country.

One strong favourite in my sample, however, is serving in the NRM Cabinet: Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda. However, Ndugu Rugunda would be a reluctant contender since he chose to retire from politics years back, even though he has since been appointed to different offices. So again, the Ugandans who responded to my question do not seem to trust active politicians very much. It seems they see the task of the next president as being less political and more of development and service delivery.

Interestingly, whenever someone nominated the likeable Rugunda, another responded with a plea to leave the man out of it, with claims that others who want the job could harm him.

Joachim Buwembo is a social and political commentator based in Kampala. E-mail: [email protected]